Board of Directors re-elects President Robert H. Spence

April 16, 2008
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications, 417-865-2815, Ext. 7292

Springfield, Mo. — The Evangel University Board of Directors met on April 10-11 and has re-elected President Robert H. Spence for his eighth five-year-term of service.

Spence first assumed the leadership of Evangel on May 1, 1974, and his current term expires at the end of April 2009.

“Dr. Spence is a leader among leaders—we are honored to work with him and pleased that he has agreed to this extension,” said the Rev. John Lindell, chairman of the board.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average tenure of college and university presidents was 8.5 years in 2006, the last year for which data is available.

“Our research shows that Dr. Spence is the third longest-tenured president currently serving in the U.S.,” said Paul K. Logsdon, spokesman for the Evangel. “He will complete 34 years on April 30. I found one president that has served 40 years and one that has served 35 years—both in Louisiana.”

Background

Dr. Spence was a member of the Evangel Board of Directors when he was asked to assume the leadership role in 1974.

During his tenure, he has guided the transformation from a college campus of mostly WWII-era barracks to a state-of-the-art University. Eight major construction projects have been completed during the past 12 years, and the new Riggs Administration Building is currently under construction.

“Evangel had four modern brick residence halls, the library, dining hall and gym in 1974,” said Logsdon. “The rest of the campus was comprised of barracks left over from the O’Reilly Army Hospital.”

Though his most visible contribution to the Springfield region is his leadership at Evangel, Dr. Spence has served on the boards of more than 15 community and business organizations, most notably as president/chairman of the boards of City Utilities, CoxHealth Systems and the Chamber of Commerce.

He is also chairman of Springfield’s annual Day of Prayer observance.

Dr. Robert H. Spence was recognized for outstanding service and leadership in 2004 when he was named the Springfieldian of the Year by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. He also received the 2004 Missourian Award, presented by the American Heart Association.

Dr. Spence remains in demand as a speaker, spending almost every weekend on the road at churches, colleges and conferences across the country. His wife, Anne, often travels with him and has long been considered Evangel’s greatest recruiter.

Evangel is the national Assemblies of God university of arts, sciences and professions, offering more than 100 academic programs of study. Approximately 2,000 students enroll annually from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

For more information call (417) 865-2811, ext. 7292.